MUSCAT: Expatriate workers in Oman have the right to demand a copy of his employment contract, says a fresh video released by Oman’s Ministry of Manpower.

The 3:15-minute-animated video uploaded on YouTube by the Ministry of Manpower on March 10, sensitises the rights an expat can demand and customs he should follow in Oman.

The video has been made in different languages from where the expats come to work in Oman.

The video starts with detailing the economic and politically that Oman enjoys and also shares hotline number 80077000 if a worker upon arrival fails to get his employer’s right address.

The video reveals that if the worker fails to get a resident card / work permit, within a month of arrival, he should inform his direct supervisor and it also stresses that monthly salary should be made through bank accounts.

The video also says that if a worker has been told to overtime job, then he should be compensated according to the Oman’s Labour Law.

The video says that if the migrant worker has been denied rights and face issues, such as delay in salary, then he could directly file a complaint by visiting the manpower website www.manpower.gov.om

The video also reveals that if a worker is being given a termination notice, without his acceptance, then he can approach the Manpower Ministry office directly within 15 days of notice issuance.

Additionally, the video also cautions the migrant worker that, he or she cannot work for any other employer than he has been employed originally.

The video says that if a migrant worker works for a different employer and caught, he can face a jail term not exceeding one month, fine not less than OMR400, his labour card will be revoked and banned from entering Oman in future.

The video also reveals that the employer may not receive any payment from the employee for recruiting him.

The video also guides the worker to visit the www.manpower.gov.om website for more details.

Even though strict rules ensure decent working conditions for Omani and migrant workers, unfortunately, violations also do occur.

Last week, an online video showing shocking conditions for some Omani desert workers had gone viral, prompting the Ministry of Manpower to set up a team to investigate.

The Ministry said in a statement online: “As soon as we were informed about the video circulating on social media about the conditions for workers in the private sector, a team from the General Directorate for Labour Welfare was formed to follow up the situation and take action.”

The video showed a number of Omani workers eating lunch in an open area, some sitting in the shadow of the trucks and others under a makeshift umbrella of wooden boards and metal sheet.

One Omani employee pleaded on the video: “We appeal to companies and officials to investigate the conditions we have to suffer. Companies do not allow us to operate the air conditioning in the trucks at rest times: we are told that if we do this, we will get a formal warning and a pay cut. So we have to get out and sit outside in temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius and where there are no comfortable rooms or toilet facilities.” The Ministry of Manpower confirmed that the Labour Law guarantees employee rights and ensures a sound working environment. A spokesperson stated: “Our inspection teams carry out regular visits to ensure the commitment of the private sector to labour law and regulations. Workers are asked to submit complaints through the channels we provide,” he concluded, noting that complaints may be submitted electronically.

According to the annual report from the Ministry of Manpower, almost 5000 visits were carried out by the inspection team in 2017, resulting in 20 cases being referred to the public prosecutor for legal action. A further 446 violation notices and 892 written warnings were issued as well as 227 cases in which organisations were given a time limit to improve. 119 organisations were given advice and guidance on how to improve their conditions.